October 27, 2014—MASSCreative announced today that leaders and supporters of arts and culture in Sandwich, Bourne, Barnstable, Plymouth and surrounding areas met with State Rep. Randy Hunt to discuss the candidate’s vision for the creative community in the 5th Barnstable District.
The candidate talked about the deep connection on Cape Cod among tourism, arts and culture and said that he thinks supporting the arts should be see in terms of return on investment.
Rep. Hunt, who is a past sponsor of House Bill 3837 which called for the addition of the Massachusetts Cultural Council as a beneficiary listed on the state's tax returns, also talked about his personal connection to music from his days playing trombone in the band in his native Texas.
“Nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in Massachusetts support more than 45,000 jobs, spend $2.1 billion annually, and generate another $2.5 billion of economic activity,” said Matt Wilson, Executive Director of MASSCreative. “We see the impact of the arts locally here in Sandwich, Bourne, Barnstable and throughout the Cape through the work of the local cultural councils, which make the arts accessible to young children, students, families, and older adults. They also help support working artists. We look forward to working with lawmakers in the next legislative session to ensure that the Commonwealth is getting the most out of its investment in the arts.”
Arts and community leaders including Kevin Howard, President & CEO of the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod; Gene Schott, Executive Director of the Thornton Burgess Society; Stephanie Weaver, Managing Director of the Cape Conservator; Jean Prendergast, a member of the Cape Cod Chorale and council member for Sandwich's Glass Town Cultural District; Katie Campbell, Executive Director of the Sandwich Glass Museum; David Kuehn, Executive Director of the Cotuit Center for the Arts; and Joanne Lamont, Director of the Sandwich Public Library met with Rep. Hunt at the Green Briar Nature Center – Thornton Burgess Society in East Sandwich on October 17.
MASSCreative is meeting with candidates through the Create the Vote Coalition—a collaboration of Massachusetts arts, cultural, and creative institutions convened by MASSCreative. The Create the Vote Coalition is also asking candidates for governor and state legislative office to fill out an arts questionnaire.
On July 15, the Coalition hosted the historic Gubernatorial Forum on Arts, Culture, and Creativity, the first-ever gubernatorial debate about arts and culture. The Forum was held at The Hanover Theatre in Worcester and attended by 500 artists, cultural leaders, and members of the public. Candidates Don Berwick, Attorney General Martha Coakley, Evan Falchuk, Mark Fisher, Treasurer Steve Grossman, and Jeff McCormick answered questions from moderator Joyce Kulhawik and arts leaders from around the state. A video of the Forum is available here.
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Founded in 2012, MASSCreative works with creative leaders and entrepreneurs, working artists, arts educators, and arts and cultural supporters to empower creative organizations and the public with a powerful voice to advocate for the resources and support necessary to build vibrant and connected communities.
